Communicative Correlates of Satisfaction, Family Identity, and Group Salience in Multiracial/Ethnic Families

Guided by the Common Ingroup Identity Model (S. L. Gaertner & J. F. Dovidio, 2000) and Communication Accommodation Theory (C. Shepard, H. Giles, & B. A. LePoire, 2001), we examined the role of identity accommodation, supportive communication, and self-disclosure in predicting relational satisfaction, shared family identity, and group salience in multiracial/ethnic families. Additionally, we analyzed the association between group salience and relational outcomes as well as the moderating roles of multiracial/ethnic identity and marital status. Individuals who have parents from different racial/ethnic groups were invited to complete questionnaires on their family experiences. Participants (N = 139) answered questions about relationships with mothers, fathers, and grandparents. The results of the multilevel modeling analyses are discussed in terms of implications for understanding multiracial/ethnic families and family functioning. Key Words: communication, family processes, interracial/ ethnic, multilevel modeling, race/ethnicity. Research on interracial/ethnic contact has traditionally focused on group-based conflict or contact, or both, between strangers of different racial/ethnic groups (Brown & Hewstone, 2005). Recent scholarship focuses on more personal contact such as that which takes place within friendships (e.g., Diggs & Clark, 2002) and romantic relationships (e.g., Foeman & Nance, 2002). Given the increasing prevalence of interracial/ethnic families, scholars should focus on understanding family functioning and communication in these relationships (Orbe, 1999) as interactions in multiracial/ethnic families may be affected by the macrosocietal influences of the differing racial/ethnic identities. This can create unique circumstances for individuals and the family as a whole. Thus, guided by intergroup theorizing, the current study addresses this need by investigating family communication, identity concerns, and relational outcomes from the perspective of the multiracial/ethnic individuals. In 1967, the U.S Supreme Court's decision in Loving v. Virginia put an end to stateconstituted bans on interracial marriages. Since this court decision, there has been a steady increase in interracial/ethnic marriages. According to the latest U.S. Census, 7.4% of marriages are composed of individuals from different ethnic/racial backgrounds and, throughout the literature, estimates range that 5% to 10% of families are made up of individuals with different racial/ethnic backgrounds. The number of popular press books, websites, and the like serve as further evidence of the increase in this family form. Scholars are devoting more attention to learning about individuals' experiences as members of multiracial/ethnic families (e.g., Root, 2003) including the identity and experience of multiracial/ethnic children. Specifically, multiracial/ethnic individuals and their familial experiences ' 'challenge received notions of family, community, and identity" (Wallace, 2004, p. 196). As the idea of multiracial/ethnic identity receives more scholarly attention (Phinney, 2000), researchers recognize the multidimensional aspect of identity for these individuals. For instance, more recent theorizing (e.g., Rockquemore & Brunsma, 2002; Root, 2003) extends multiracial/ethnic identity "options" from traditional dichotomous (monoracial/ethnic vs. biracial/multiethnic) views to more diverse identity "choices" (e.g., ^protean identity in which individuals embrace a racial/ethnic identity depending on the context and goals of an interaction). Whereas these experiences can lead to greater appreciation of multiculturalism resulting in less favoritism of one's racial/ethnic group and discrimination of others, individuals' experiences may also negatively affect their overall wellbeing (Vivero & Jenkins, 1999). Specifically, when monoracial/ethnic identity is the norm, individuals may struggle with selecting a particular group with which to identify, establishing the authenticity of the identity, and experiencing marginal ization through their group membership (Root, 1996). …